Ben-DutkaGrowing up, video games really weren't capable of eliciting heavy emotion. At least, not from me. There was only so much tugging on the heartstrings those old pixelated characters could manage, you know?
But when stories really started to become a driving point in the industry, we began to see some really effective narratives. There have been a great many games that are capable of moving the sentimental (and even the not-so-sentimental) to tears. What titles have done that for you?
I know most people of my generation immediately cite Aeris' death in Final Fantasy VII and I agree that it was one of the most powerful scenes in history. But my reaction was different: I wasn't nearly as sad as I was pissed . One of the reasons Sephiroth is the greatest villain of all time in my estimation is because he's still the only one that made me hate him. After driving his blade through Aeris' back (couldn't have been more cowardly), I resolved then and there that I would make him pay . Had never had that happen before. Or since, really.
But I think maybe the most moving ending I've ever seen was in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater . Those last scenes, especially with Snake in the graveyard at the end, just got to me. The franchise is well-known for fantastic – if admittedly way overblown – storylines that touch on a variety of emotions, and that climax remains at the top of the list for me. Still my favorite ending ever, I believe. I should also add that Heavy Rain got me a few times, too, simply because it was so unbelievably atmospheric and it actually told a human interest story that operated on multiple levels.
Oh, and the last ascent in Journey , while it didn't make me cry, possibly made me the most melancholy I've ever been during the final stages of a game. It was just so surreal and touching… Okay, how about you?
Virtue's Last Reward – Luna's ending
Persona 4 – a certain series of scenes in a hospital…
MGS3's ending is definitely up there. Haven't gotten around to Journey yet.
Last edited by outcelgeist on 7/11/2015 1:23:23 AM
Final Fantasy 6 – after a specific moment Celes is left on an island and if you fail an objective she can end up all alone. The sense of isolation gets too much and seeing here utterly hopeless on top of the mountain is very heart breaking (I'm holding back details for spoilers but it's a very sad scene indeed)
Metal Gear Solid – choosing another moment for the series I have to choose the conclusion to Sniper Wolf's battle. It wasn't just a game trope of beating the bad guys and celebrating, it was far more tragic, also most like participating in euthanasia. Hearing her talk about the savagery and brutality of her childhood was so sad. Also how she felt ashamed for her sins she bares. The added sound of the hospital beeps and her own self-pity was very intense along with Otacons grief and how Snake States she is not a Dog of War but unchained and free.
um yeah thats a really good question i guess one would be a couple of clank moments on the rachet one and then even one of those in rachet 2 aswell. but i'll let you know of any other ones as i think if them but those are the ones that come to mind first of the top of my head.
happy gaming
Locoroco, every time one of my little goo balls shriveled away so did a part of my soul
Shadow of the colossus is the saddest game i've ever played…
That was a really powerful moment the second you realized what you were actually doing. I felt so used and sympathetic to the colossi.
The Last of Us had more than its fair share of scenes that made me tear up, most notably the Sarah scene, Henry and Sam, Ellie and David, and Joels injury.
I swear ive played this game 6-7 times and watched more than a few lets plays on youtube and Sarah dying still chokes me up
Last edited by newchef on 7/11/2015 10:01:17 AM
I could've with TLOU but I suppressed myself from tears.
Yeah, Sarah scene got me. A little to close to home.
Last of Us the masterpiece.
Maybe not making me cry, but a scene in Valkyria Chronicles on PS3, in a cut-scene where someone close and important to the main character gets killed off with a head shot.
It was a brave move and a very Game of Thrones like kill in a game. That was a WTF moment in the game.
Be me to it. I cried!
That was absolutely heart breaking. I loved Valkyria Chronicles, and I was attached to all the characters. A friend of mine was playing through the game at the same time as I was, and we grieved together.
I think I cried even more when Rosie sang for her at the end though. I was a mess.
Agreed on the ending of MGS3, that was really a kick in the balls and one of the only times a game has actually made me cry. The only other I can think of right now is Fate/Stay Night, though I imagine most people here haven't played it.
Aeris' death had already been spoiled before I got to play FFVII. So it was sad, but I knew it was coming.
Lavitz on the other hand… that was crushing. Lloyd, you platinum haired bastard! I've replayed Legend of Dragoon many times since, and I'm still distraught every time it happens.
I didn't think anyone was going to remember this!
I honestly was so sad when Lavitz died. He was my favourite character in the game and honestly Albert didn't quite make up for it.
OMG Lavitz. Albert you're cool as but I don't care about your Blossom Storm!
Someone already said it but when Lavitz died in Legend of Dragoon I was beside my self, mostly with anger.
MGS1 I was sad when Gray Fox got crushed.
Kingdom hearts 1 and 2 had a lot of moments that made me choke up. The games theme of friendship really hit home for me.
However NIER playthrough number 2 is the saddest thing I have ever experienced in a game. Anyone who has played the game knows why anyone who hasn't well I wont spoil it. But there are extra scenes and a couple are just depressingly sad.
Yup that scene where gray fox lost his arm and get crushed is kinda sad…
The water ending in Silent Hill 2 was the most depressing thing I've ever seen in a game. Powerful stuff.
How about the end of Red Dead Redemption? Everything you worked for just go to out in a hail of gunfire… trying to walk the straight and narrow and then your son ends up following in the footsteps of your dark past.
I agree with Nier and am happy you didn't elaborate as so few people played the game that i would consider it a spoiler even though it came out years ago.
I cannot recall getting emotional over LoD even though i played through it atleast 3 times, i guess that one just didn't connect with me on that level.
Valkyria Chronicles also had a couple of amazing moments that were mentioned.
And of course FFVII is a given even with you saying it inspired hatred Ben it is still the samething to me.
"was supposed to be a reply to xenris"
Last edited by Rogueagent01 on 7/12/2015 11:22:29 PM
One thing comes to mind in recent memory:
The Last of Us – everything that happens around the time of UEC + David.
Jesus Christ the humanities.
The rest, some also shared by fellow users:
Valkyria Chronicles, Legend of Dragoon, Shadow of the Colossus, Heavy Rain, Journey, FF8, FFX & X-2. GTA4 also personally got me.
I'd like to add, while I'm having fun now, screw Valkyria Chronicles 2. I don't care about half your damn students even though there's a Daily Life event every day. Nothing will overtake the console experience that the original brought to the table. No amazing cutscenes to bring anything home.
Virtue's Last Reward – Luna's ending
Persona 4 – a certain series of scenes in a hospital…
MGS3's ending is definitely up there. Haven't gotten around to Journey yet.
Last edited by outcelgeist on 7/11/2015 1:23:23 AM
Be me to it. I cried!
Maybe not making me cry, but a scene in Valkyria Chronicles on PS3, in a cut-scene where someone close and important to the main character gets killed off with a head shot.
It was a brave move and a very Game of Thrones like kill in a game. That was a WTF moment in the game.
Aeris' death had already been spoiled before I got to play FFVII. So it was sad, but I knew it was coming.
Lavitz on the other hand… that was crushing. Lloyd, you platinum haired bastard! I've replayed Legend of Dragoon many times since, and I'm still distraught every time it happens.
Locoroco, every time one of my little goo balls shriveled away so did a part of my soul
OMG Lavitz. Albert you're cool as but I don't care about your Blossom Storm!
Last of Us the masterpiece.
The water ending in Silent Hill 2 was the most depressing thing I've ever seen in a game. Powerful stuff.
Final Fantasy 6 – after a specific moment Celes is left on an island and if you fail an objective she can end up all alone. The sense of isolation gets too much and seeing here utterly hopeless on top of the mountain is very heart breaking (I'm holding back details for spoilers but it's a very sad scene indeed)
Metal Gear Solid – choosing another moment for the series I have to choose the conclusion to Sniper Wolf's battle. It wasn't just a game trope of beating the bad guys and celebrating, it was far more tragic, also most like participating in euthanasia. Hearing her talk about the savagery and brutality of her childhood was so sad. Also how she felt ashamed for her sins she bares. The added sound of the hospital beeps and her own self-pity was very intense along with Otacons grief and how Snake States she is not a Dog of War but unchained and free.
The Last of Us had more than its fair share of scenes that made me tear up, most notably the Sarah scene, Henry and Sam, Ellie and David, and Joels injury.
I swear ive played this game 6-7 times and watched more than a few lets plays on youtube and Sarah dying still chokes me up
Last edited by newchef on 7/11/2015 10:01:17 AM
I could've with TLOU but I suppressed myself from tears.
Agreed on the ending of MGS3, that was really a kick in the balls and one of the only times a game has actually made me cry. The only other I can think of right now is Fate/Stay Night, though I imagine most people here haven't played it.
Yeah, Sarah scene got me. A little to close to home.
um yeah thats a really good question i guess one would be a couple of clank moments on the rachet one and then even one of those in rachet 2 aswell. but i'll let you know of any other ones as i think if them but those are the ones that come to mind first of the top of my head.
happy gaming
How about the end of Red Dead Redemption? Everything you worked for just go to out in a hail of gunfire… trying to walk the straight and narrow and then your son ends up following in the footsteps of your dark past.
I didn't think anyone was going to remember this!
I honestly was so sad when Lavitz died. He was my favourite character in the game and honestly Albert didn't quite make up for it.
That was a really powerful moment the second you realized what you were actually doing. I felt so used and sympathetic to the colossi.
That was absolutely heart breaking. I loved Valkyria Chronicles, and I was attached to all the characters. A friend of mine was playing through the game at the same time as I was, and we grieved together.
I think I cried even more when Rosie sang for her at the end though. I was a mess.
Someone already said it but when Lavitz died in Legend of Dragoon I was beside my self, mostly with anger.
MGS1 I was sad when Gray Fox got crushed.
Kingdom hearts 1 and 2 had a lot of moments that made me choke up. The games theme of friendship really hit home for me.
However NIER playthrough number 2 is the saddest thing I have ever experienced in a game. Anyone who has played the game knows why anyone who hasn't well I wont spoil it. But there are extra scenes and a couple are just depressingly sad.
I agree with Nier and am happy you didn't elaborate as so few people played the game that i would consider it a spoiler even though it came out years ago.
I cannot recall getting emotional over LoD even though i played through it atleast 3 times, i guess that one just didn't connect with me on that level.
Valkyria Chronicles also had a couple of amazing moments that were mentioned.
And of course FFVII is a given even with you saying it inspired hatred Ben it is still the samething to me.
"was supposed to be a reply to xenris"
Last edited by Rogueagent01 on 7/12/2015 11:22:29 PM
Yup that scene where gray fox lost his arm and get crushed is kinda sad…
Shadow of the colossus is the saddest game i've ever played…
One thing comes to mind in recent memory:
The Last of Us – everything that happens around the time of UEC + David.
Jesus Christ the humanities.
The rest, some also shared by fellow users:
Valkyria Chronicles, Legend of Dragoon, Shadow of the Colossus, Heavy Rain, Journey, FF8, FFX & X-2. GTA4 also personally got me.
I'd like to add, while I'm having fun now, screw Valkyria Chronicles 2. I don't care about half your damn students even though there's a Daily Life event every day. Nothing will overtake the console experience that the original brought to the table. No amazing cutscenes to bring anything home.